Speed-gear



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. HOPKINS.

SPEED GEAE. No. 570,638. Patented Nov. 3, 1896.

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M. HOPKINS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

SPEED GEAR.

(No Model.)

No. 570,638. PatentedANov.' s, '1896.'

UNITED STATES' PATENT OEETCE.

)[FISIIACH HOPKINS, OFv LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGN OR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM H. CORK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

SPEED-G EAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,638, dated November 3, 1896. Application led September 16, 1895. Serial 11,562,670. (No niodel.) Patented in England June 13,1893, No. 11,593.

T 0 all whom t 711/603./ concern:

Be it known that I, MEsHAcH HOPKINS, a subject of the Queen of England, residing at Peckham, London, county of Surrey, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speed-Gears, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent in Great Britain, No. 11,593, dated June 13, 1893,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a gear which, without stopping the machine to which it is attached, may be adjusted so that the speed transmitted therethrough may either equal or be increased within certain limits to any desired extent beyond that imparted to it.

The invention is specially applicable to cycles, in which connection it is' hereinafter described; but it may be applied to various other machines.

I n the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of as much of a cycle as is necessary to illustrate the application of my invention thereto. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the right-hand side of the lower part of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of part of the adjusting mechanism of the gear.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

In carrying my invention into practice I key or otherwise rigidly secure upon or form in part with the crank or driving axle A an eccentric or eccentric-bearing B and a flange or arm O, which may either be circular in the form of a disk concentric with the axle or a segment of a disk. For convenience the flange C is hereinafter referred to as a disk, in which form it is shown in the drawings. On the bearing B is mounted a ring or wheel D, formed with a peripheral groove D', and two notched or toothed flanges D2, all hereinafter collectively referred to as the chainwheel D. This chain-wheel is free to rotate on the eccentric-bearing B, which, if desired, may be provided with balls or other antifriction devices, valthough such are not represented in the drawings.

The disk C is provided with a chain-carrier comprising two studs C', rigidly secured in the disk, two rollers E, mounted on and free to rotate on the studs, and between the two rollers E a block E, pivoted to the disk O. The last-described device, which as a whole is hereinafter referred to as the chain-carrier E, serves to support an endless chain F, which while rotated bodily along with the chain-carrier E around the ax-is of the axle A is also capable of rotating in the direction of its length around the said chain-carrier.

The chain F works in the groove D of the wheel D, and all or some of its joint-pins, for example, as shown in the drawings, every alternate joint-pin F, are extended laterally of the chain, so as to engage with the notches of the ilanges D2, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

G is an internally-toothed wheel mounted concentrically to and capable of rotating independently of the axle A, and in the example illustrated is rigidly secured between two cups H H', forming the hollow boss of a wheel H2, of which only the central part is shown in Fig. 1. The wheel G is formed with a groove G' and two notched or toothed flanges G2, all hereinafter collectively referred to as the chain-wheel"7 G, and `with this wheel the outer part of the chain F engages, the inner part of said chain engaging, as before explained, with the chain-Wheel D.

On the axle- A is rigidly secured a collar A', which forms a running-surface for a ring of balls I, on which is supported the inner end of a short hollow shaft or sleeve J, whose outer end is similarly supported on a ring of balls I', free to rotate between a bearing-collar I2, adjustable on the shaft A, and a cup J secured on the 'sleeve J, as by screwing and a key or pinching-screw. The inner end of the sleeve J is cupped and hardened or provided with a separate hardened-steel cup J2 at the part where it runsupon the balls I and at this end it also has rigid upon it aV I flange or disk J 2, in which is formed a radial slot or recess J 4, with which engages a pin D3, secured to the chain-wheel D, these two parts-viz., the sleeve J and chain-wheel D- always rotating together and at the same speed.

The sleeve J is free to rotate in a ball-bearing K in the lower end of the fork-arm- K', the corresponding fork-arm K2. at the opposite side of the wheel H2 being providedwitha ball-bearing K2, in which the axle A is free to IOO rotate. The inner end of the cup J', as shown in Fig. 1, may itself constitute a portion of the race within which the balls of bearing K run.

The hollow boss H H' at one side is supported directly by the axle through the medium of a ball-bearing H5, and at the other side by the sleeve J through a ball-bearing H4.

The before-mentioned cup J is provided with a notched or toothed iiange or rim J5, with which are adapted to engage a detent or stop L, and also, if desired, the spring end L' of a plate or arm L2, on which the stop is carried. The spring end L may, however, be entirely dispensed with.

M is a lever pivoted at M' to the handlebar N of the cycle and adapted to be operated by the hand of the rider. This lever is provided with a spring-controlled detent M2, capable of engaging with the notches l, 2, and 3 of a collar N', secured on the handle-bar N. To the lever M is pivoted the upper end of a link O, whose lower end is pivoted to a leverarm P, secured on one end of a short shaft P', pivoted in the fork-arm K'. On the opposite end of the shaft P' is secured an eccentric P2, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, in which is mounted a crank-pin P5,for a purpose hereinafter speciiied. The eccentric P2 is located between the arms of a fork or yoke Q, secured on one end of a short. shaft Q', pivoted in the fork-arm K', and on the other end of the shaft Q' is secured an arm Q2, connected by a link Q3 to a similar arm Q4, secured on the outer end of a short shaft Q5, pivoted in a downward extension KJl of the fork-arm K'. On the inner end of the shaft Q5 is secured an arm Q5, carrying a brake block or shoe Q7, which, like a similar brake-shoe Q5, securely mounted on the before-mentioned yoke Q, is adapted to bear upon the periphery of a brake-disk Q9, secured, as by a pinching-screw Q70, upon the sleeve J.

In the disk Q9 is formed a perforation through which passes a pin or stud R, rigidly secured in a disk R', formed in part with a sleeve R2, which is capable of sliding in the direction of its axis on the before-described sleeve J. The sleeve R2 is provided with a Vperipheral groove R5, with which engages, as shown in Fig. 4, a spring-plate S, secured at its lower part to the fork extension K4. The pin R in certain positions of adjustment, as hereinafter explained, is adapted to engage with a clutch projection or abutment-surface H5 in the adjacent part of the cup H', while at other times it is withdrawn from and held out of engagement with the projection H5 by means of a spring T, interposed between the two disks Q" R', the whole forming a springcontrolled clutch.

The upper end of the spring-plate S is bent outward, so that it may be acted upon by cams T, carried by a yoke or frame T', pivoted on the before-mentioned crank-pin P5. The arms of the frame T' are provided with lugs T2, which by bearing against the edges of the spring-plate S prevent the frame from moving out of position while allowing it to move up and down underthe influence of the eccentric P2.

The operation of the before-described vapparatus is as follows: The device is shown adjusted for obtaining the maximum speed of rotation of the wheel H2 in relation to the rotation of the axle A. When it is desired to travel at a slow speed, the lever M is raised to its highest position, so that the detent M2 will engage with the notch 1. By this operation the lever-arm P is raised, and through the shaft P' and crank pin .P3 the yoke T' is also raised, and through lthe cams T, spring-plate S, and sleeve R2 the piu R is moved into the path of the projection H5, so that the hollow boss H H', with the internaltoothed wheel G iixed thereto, and the sleeve J, with the toothed wheelD connected therewith, are thereby locked together. By this same operation also, through the eccentric P`-` and its accessories, the former being turned in the direction indicated by the arrow p in Fig. 3, the brakes Q7 Q8 are moved out of contact with the disk Q9, as shown in chain lines in Fig. 3. W'hen, therefore, under this condition of adjustment, the axle A is rotated, the chain-carrier Eis rotated along with it, as it always is,V and the chain is also moved with it, but as by said adjustment the sleeve J, t-o which (through the slotted disk J 3 J 4 and pin D3) the chain-wheel D is secured, and the hollow boss H H', carrying the chain-wheel G, are locked together the chain cannot rotate in the direction of its length or independently of the chain-carrier, the result of which is that any rotation imparted to the axle A must without variation in speed or direction be transmitted through the chain F to the chainwheels D and G, all the last-named parts rotating as one piece.

Wlhen it is desired to travel at an accelerated speed, that is to say, that the wheel H2 should rotate quicker than the axle A, the 1ever M islowered so that the detent- M2 engages with the notch 2, which operation, through the crank-pin P3, lowers the cams T, and thereby allows the spring T to withdraw the pin R from out of the path of the projection H5, thereby leaving the wheel H2 free to rotate independently of the sleeve J, the brake-blocks Q7 Q5 by this same operation being caused to bear with a medium amount of pressure upon the brake-disk Q9. By the raising of the link Q3 the spring or spring end L' (when such is provided) is brought into engagement with the notched flange J5, so that when the axle is rotated said flange J5 is also capable of rotating, but only under the retardinginfluence of the brake-blocks Q7 Q8 or brake-blocks and spring L', the result being that as the chain F is rotated bodily around the axis of rotation of the axle Ait is also caused (by the resistance presented by Q7 QS or Q7, Q5, and L') to rotate in the direction of its length independently of the axle, and thus impart to the IOO wheel H2 a higher speed of rotation than that of the axle A. lVhen the lever M is moved from its last-mentioned position to thelowest 'carried around with the axle A and the chainwheel D looked said chain must rotate in the direction of its length independently of and to its maximum speed in relation to the rotation of the axle, the wheel H2 consequently being rotated at its maximum speed, the ratio of the speed of the wheel H2 and axle A depending upon the relative diameters of the wheels D and G.

As shown in Fig. l, the chain-carrier is mounted upon the disk C in such a manner as to be diametrically opposite the eccentricbearing B, and as both the disk and the eccentric are rigid with the shaft they maintain this relative position always. Such a provision affords space between the chainwheel D and the annular gear G for the carrier-block to move in as it carries the chain around the shaft, the chain itself keeping up an independent rotation under the action of the chain-wheel D. Thus it is possible to employ a larger chain-wheel by mounting it eccentrically rather than concentrically, and so to increase the ratio of the speed between the driven wheelfand the driving-shaft. I would employ a chain instead of a spur-gear upon the revolving arm, even were the chain-wheel D concentrically mounted, since it is thus possible to obviate the diiculties which would otherwise arise from the use of too small an intermediate spur-gear with its necessarily small teeth and the consequent danger of breaking.

By means of the brake device Q7 Q8 Q9 and, if it be provided, the spring L the pressure necessary for retarding and stopping the rotation of the sleeve J is gradually applied, so that the change for obtaining an increase of speed may be made without too great a shock being imposed on the rider.

From the foregoing the manner of adjusting the gear for a reduction of speed will be sufficiently understood to render any special description thereof unnecessary.

It' desired, other mechanism than that before described may be used for locking and releasing the wheel D or disk J 3, and moreover the speed-gear may be applied to machines other than cycles and, if desired, in the reverse manner, that is to say, the wheel G may be driven rst and the motion therefrom transmitted to the wheel D, so as to enable the speed to be decreased instead of increased, as before described. The chain F and teeth ot' the wheels D and G may be of the ordinary type instead ofthe form shown.

'The device may be applied to the drivingchain wheel of a rear-driving cycle instead of, as shown in the drawingsdirectly to the road-wheel.

I clai1nl. The combination with the driving and driven parts of a speed-gear, and an eccentric-bearin g an d chain-carrier, comprising antit'riction-rollers on one part, a chain-wheel on the eccentric-bearing and a chain-wheel on the other part, and chain gearing with both chain-wheels, ot' a pin on the eccentricallymounted chain-wheeh'a slotted iiange engaging the pin, a toothed flange rigid with the slotted flange, a detent for the toothed iiange, a lever for operating the detent, and link mechanism in operative connection with the detent and lever substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the driving and driven parts of a speed-gear and an eccentric-bearing and chain-carrier on one part, a chain-wheel on the eccentric-bearing, a chainwheel and clutch projection on the other part, a chain gearing with both chain-wheels, a flange, a pin-and-slot connection between this flange and the eccentrically-mounted chainwheel, and a disk rigid with the flange, of a clutch permanently engaged with the disk for engaging with the clutch projection, a clutchlever and link-and-lever mechanism in operative connection with the clutch and clutchlever, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the driving and driven parts of a speed-gear and an eccentricbearing and chain carrier on one part, a chain-wheel on the eccen tric-bearin g, a chainwheel and clutch projection on the otherpart, a chain gearing with both chain-wheels, a iiange, a pin-and-slot connection between this flange and the eccentrically-mounted chain-wheel, and a disk rigid with the flange, of a clutch permanently engaged with the disk for engaging with the clutch projection, a sleeve carrying the clutch, a cam for moving the sleeve, and a crank-pin, lever-arms,

links and a clutch-lever all operatively connected together, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with the driving and driven parts of a speed-gear and an eccentricbearing and chain-carrier on one part, a chainwheel on the eccentric-bearing, a chain-wheel .and clutch projection on the other' part, a chain gearing with both chain wheels, a flange, a pin-and-slot connection between this- Aiiange and the eccentrically-mounted chainwheel, and a disk rigid with the flange, brakeshoes adapted to bear on the disk, lever-arms carrying the brake shoes, a clutch permanently engaged with the clutch projection, a

sleeve carrying the clutch, a cam for moving the sleeve, a crank-pin for moving the cam, and a brake and .clutch lever and lever-and- IIO link mechanism in operative connection with the brake and clutch devices, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the driving and driven parts of a speed-gear, of an eccentricbearing and chain-carrier on one part, a chainwheel on the eccentric-bearin g, a chain-wheel and clutch projection on the other part, a chain gearing with both chain-wheels, a pin on the eccentrically-mounted chain-wheel, a slotted flange engaging the pin, a toothed flange and a disk rigid with the slotted flange, a clutch permanently engaged with the disk, a detent to engage thetoothed flange, brakeshoes to bear on the disk, a cam to move the clutch into engagement with the clutch proj ection, an operating-lever and link-and-lever mechanism in operative connection with this lever and the detent, brake-shoes and cam, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination ,with the driving and driven parts of a speed-gear, an eccentricbearing and a chain-carrier upon one of said parts, a chain-wheel upon said eccentric-bearing, va chain-wheel concentric with the shaft, and a chain upon said carrier confined between and engaging said chain-wheels of a pin upon the eccentrically-mounted chainwheel, a sleeve upon said shaft provided with a slotted flange engaging said pin, a toothed flange rigid with said sleeve, a detent for the toothed flange, and link-an d-lever mechanism in operative connection with the detent, substantialljyT as set forth.

7. In a speed-gear, the combination of a shaft, an eccentric-bearing rigid therewith, a chain-wheel loosely mounted on the eccentric, a brake for the chain-wheel, an annular gear mounted concentrically with and capable of independent rotation upon said shaft, an arm rigid with the shaft, a chain-carrier attached thereto to rotate about said chainwheel, and an endless chain upon the carrier confined between said annular gear and chainwheel, free to revolve about the carri er under the action of the chain-wheel when the shaft is turned and the chain-wheel retarded, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

S. In a speed-gear, the combination of a shaft, achain-wheel loosely mounted thereon, a brake for said wheel, an annular gear mounted concentrically with and capable of independent rotation upon said shaft, an arm rigid with the shaft, a chain-carrier attached to the arm between said chain-wheel and an- 'nular gear, and an endless chain uponlthe carrier between the chain-wheel and annular gear, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a speed-gear, the combination of a shaft, a chain-wheel loosely mounted thereon, a brake for said wheel, an annular gear mounted concentricalb7 with and capable of independent rotation upon said shaft, an arm rigid with the shaft, a chain-carrier attached' to the arm, an endless chain upon the carrier confined between said annular gear and chainwheel and free to rotate about said chaincarrier under the act-ion of the chain-Wheel, and means for locking the parts together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

lO. In a speed-gear, the combination with the driving and driven parts, of an eccentric bearing and chain-carrier onone part, a chainwheel on the eccentric-bearing, a chain-wheel on the other part, and an endless chain upon said carrier confined to rotate between and geared to said chain-wheels as it is itself carried around one of Said chain-wheels in the operation of the gear, substantially as described.

11. In a speed-gear, the combination of a shaft an eccentric-bearing rigid therewith, a chain-wheel on said bearing, a chain-wheel mounted concentrically with and capable of independent rotation upon said shaft, an arm rigid with the shaft, a chain-carrier upon the arm, a chain upon said carrier engaging the chain-wheels, a sleeve upon the shaft having a flange provided with a radial slot, a pin upon said eccentrically-mounted chain-wheel engaging said slot, brake-shoes engaging said sleeve, lever-arms carrying the brake-shoes, a brake-lever and link-and-lever mechanism in operative connection with the lever-arms and brake-lever, substantially as set forth.

In testimon5T whereof I have hereto set my hand in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

. MESHACH HOPKINS.

Witnesses:

HAROLD WADE, HARRY S. BRIDGE. 

